Though the size of his hat may have grown over the years, Bill Lippert has worn many baseball caps for the Penn State club baseball team as a player and assistant coach.

The former pitcher and pitching coach for the team now has the mantle of head coach and his expertise on pitching has helped turn a very good pitching staff into a great one.

Coming into the 2007 season, Penn State knew it had a target on its back after losing in the NCBA World Series final last year and starting this season as the No. 1 ranked team.

After a 6-0 spring training start last week in Tampa, Fla., Lippert is excited about his team's chances and thinks this could be the year the No. 2 Penn State baseball club wins its first World Series title.

Even as a first year head coach he can see the potential his team has.

"I've always said that in baseball, the manager has less to do," Lippert said. "If you have talent, you're going to be a good manager. We have a ton of talent."

The pitching staff is something that excites Lippert as he has most of the pitching staff returning from the 11-0 in conference games squad.

Returning to the staff are seniors Brian Binder and Greg Lisa and juniors Peter Chalfin and Jason Shirrey, who played important roles on last year's team.

"Our pitching is definitely our strong point," said Lisa, who is also the club president. "Last year it got us to the NCBA World Series and the championship game. We gained two more pitchers from last year and we should be good."

Sophomores John Garczynski and John Parulski are new to the staff and look to contribute in their first year in the club.

Last year, Dave Brodeur was a member of the dominant staff but this year he will be starting at third base.

Brodeur brings a level of power as he hit two home runs in an inning in a spring training game.

Rounding out the infield will be juniors Andrew Jorges (second base) and Tim Ryan shortstop) up the middle and senior Mark Mihalik at first.

The outfield will be rotated by Rudy Hersh, Ryan Fitzgerald, Joe Halackna, Ryan Albright and Drew Merritts.

Lisa said that Lippert handles this team well and remembers playing along with his coach four years ago.

"I played with him my freshman year," Lisa said. "He focuses on pitching, as a former pitcher for the team he's been there, he knows what it takes to win."

This season Penn State will be able to show off its skills at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for six games during the year.

"On the club level, there are no fields like it," Lippert said. "When we finally get out to play on it, it will be special."

Lippert already has the April 13 game against Pittsburgh circled. He feels that playing out the two teams' rivalry on the state-of-the-art field will add to the emotions of the game.

Though the team won all six of their spring training games, the former preseason No. 1 ranked team dropped to No. 2. -- something that the team is not happy about.

"We won all six games we played on our trip and dropped in the rankings," Lippert said.

"I know the guys are pissed, but it gives us extra motivation to get back to No. 1."

The Penn State baseball club begins its season this Saturday at Kent State for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.

Lippert knows his team can't wait to play more games and the excitement about this team has the coach looking forward to it as well.

"I'm not easily impressed," Lippert said.

"But this team is really good."